Putin: "War Will Resume if European Troops Are Deployed to Ukraine"... Warns U.S. Envoy

Reacts sharply to possibility of European troops being stationed in Ukraine
Proposes humanitarian operation in an isolated area

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. White House envoy Steve Witkoff (right) shake hands during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on the 12th (local time). TASS-Yonhap News

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the war could resume if European troops are deployed to Ukraine after the fighting ends, as he discussed peace negotiations with a U.S. presidential envoy visiting Moscow on November 12 (local time). He also took a hard line on the division of Ukrainian territory, saying Russia could not make concessions.

According to TASS, Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow that day to discuss peace negotiations. Also attending the meeting were presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation at the talks in Abu Dhabi; Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov; and presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev.

Putin stressed, "The stationing of foreign troops in Ukraine is unacceptable because it threatens Russia's national security," adding, "If European troops are stationed in Ukraine, the war will resume." He also said Russia could not make concessions on the division of Ukrainian territory, the biggest sticking point in the peace negotiations. "There can be only one border between Russia and Ukraine," he said. "A lasting peace is impossible if a gray zone remains."

The "gray zone" Putin referred to means territory without clearly demarcated boundaries and is understood to refer to the Donbas region, which Russia is currently demanding in its entirety. Fighting continues in the Donbas, a frontline region in eastern Ukraine, with Russia controlling 89% of the area and Ukraine holding 11%.

Putin also addressed the possibility of Europe participating in the peace negotiations. "Russia has never refused dialogue; rather, European countries have severed their contacts with Russia," he said. "I hope the United States will consult with the European side and help clarify whether they want peace or war."

Separately, Putin proposed another humanitarian operation to evacuate civilians from Kostiantynivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast. "There are still around 400 to 500 civilians in Kostiantynivka," he said. "Let's do the same thing we did in Oleshky. Let's invite foreign journalists, including those from the U.S."

Russia and Ukraine previously observed a six-day local ceasefire from late October through early November to evacuate residents facing a humanitarian crisis and deliver aid in Oleshky, in Ukraine's southern Kherson Oblast, which is occupied by Russian forces. The humanitarian operation in Oleshky was arranged through the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump's wife, Melania.

Meanwhile, the U.S. envoys said after the meeting that they had scheduled the next trilateral meeting with Putin, but did not disclose a specific date. Kushner said of the meeting, "Today's meeting was very broad and detailed. The United States has begun discussions with European countries on establishing a new European security framework, and Europe also hopes to take part in the peace negotiations." The U.S. envoys are scheduled to travel to Dublin, Ireland, where the European Political Community (EPC) summit is being held, to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.